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Donald Trump’s abrupt firing of an FBI director who was leading the investigation of the Trump campaign’s possible collusion with Russia has sparked a new flurry of calls for impeachment.

The impulse is understandable. Comey’s firing is just the latest in a litany of outrageous behavior that’s shredding the credibility of the presidency: from the financial conflicts of interest to the pathological lying to the authoritarian attacks on the judicial branch and the press.

But outrage aside, we must keep one thing in mind: how progressives and Democrats approach impeachment could shape our democracy and the domestic political landscape for a generation. We must focus on what is best for the American people, not on what is worst for our so-called president. I believe it would be a major strategic blunder for the Democratic Party to fall for what I call the Impeachment Trap—the powerful temptation to lead the charge for impeachment without considering the strategic implications.

Since neither impeachment in the House of Representatives nor conviction in the Senate are possible without Republican votes, it is a waste of time and energy for Democrats to promote impeachment in the absence of any Republican support. I am most concerned about the scenario where one or more leading Republicans come on board and entice Democrats to lead a successful impeachment.

The simple majority necessary to impeach in the House of Representatives, as well as the two-thirds majority that is required to convict in the Senate, can be achieved with the support of most or all Democrats and a minority of Republicans. Unfortunately, this scenario would offer enormous political benefits to the Republicans.

If Trump were impeached and convicted, Vice President Mike Pence, a right-wing, evangelical ideologue, would be a much more reliable and competent rubber stamp for the conservative policy agenda. Trump, for all his failings, cannot be counted on to support conservative Republican orthodoxy. While his cabinet picks and early policy proposals have largely catered to right-wing ideology, his policy flip-flops and incompetence make him a very unreliable partner for congressional Republicans. In particular, his positions on Russia, trade, entitlements, and deficits are antithetical to Republican dogma, and recently Trump even applauded Australia’s single payer health care system. And thus far, most of his attacks on immigrants and Muslim refugees have been turned aside by a wall of public outrage and judicial rulings, although we will need to remain extraordinarily vigilant about an emboldened ICE. Pence, on the other hand, who was given a 99 percent rating from the American Conservative Union, would be much more likely to cut Social Security, push National Right to Work, and try to restrict gay marriage, and would probably treat immigrants and refugees just as badly, in order to court the Trump base.

Impeachment would also help restore the damaged Republican brand. Trump lost the popular vote by the largest margin of any incoming president in history. His administration is mired in incompetence, chaos, and suspicion, and has already sparked a massive public resistance. His public approval rating hovers around 40 percent, by far a record low for a new president. If these trends continue, his presidency will be a massive albatross around the GOP’s neck in future elections.

By contrast, the robot-like Pence—despite his extreme right-wing views—would be packaged as a comforting return to normalcy. The relief at no longer having an egotistical lunatic at the helm could provide Pence with a long and generous public opinion honeymoon. Republicans could claim that Trump was “never one of theirs,” and approach the 2020 campaign with the benefit of incumbency and without Trump’s liabilities.

Democratic ownership of impeachment would also cement the loyalty of working-class Trump voters to the Republican Party. Republican incumbents in swing districts could spin impeachment as a partisan witch hunt. Trump would become a martyr, and his voters would blame Democrats. This is a terrible outcome for progressives who want to move the Democratic Party back to its economic justice roots.

Most important to progressives, Democratic ownership of impeachment would sacrifice the historic opportunity to integrate the massive anti-Trump resistance into a revitalized progressive movement and Democratic Party. A short-term focus on impeachment would divert the focus of many activists away from less glamorous, but more important, grassroots organizing, coalition building, and policy advocacy, and decrease the likelihood of mass grassroots mobilizations on critical issues such as health care, immigration, Planned Parenthood, electoral reform, climate change, and so many others.

For these reasons, I believe a successful impeachment led by Democrats would be a colossal mistake.

Of course, Republicans may well decide that impeachment is in their best interests and lead the charge. This is a slightly better scenario for Democrats.

While Republican ownership of impeachment still achieves the first three political benefits discussed above—a more reliable and competent right-wing presidential rubber stamp, protection of the Republican brand, and a stronger incumbent for 2020—the last two outcomes would now favor Democrats. With Republicans owning impeachment, Trump supporters would be livid with the Republican Party, some withdrawing from politics altogether or splintering off to support minor parties, others perhaps willing to reconsider a Democratic Party refocused on economic justice. The combination of Republicans losing core Trump supporters and ongoing demographic trends would put Democrats in a very favorable position for 2018 and 2020 and beyond. Most importantly, the energy and enthusiasm of the anti-Trump resistance would not be diverted to impeachment.

Moreover, this scenario gives Democrats leverage, as Republicans would need Democratic votes to get the two-thirds Senate majority necessary for conviction. Ultimately, Democrats will have to back impeachment, as it would be political suicide not to. But Democrats can publicly demand key concessions in exchange for their support: First, that Republican leaders clearly own impeachment by drafting the charges and whipping a significant number of GOP votes, and second, that Republicans refrain from pushing radical right-wing legislation until after the 2020 election.

Can Democrats publicly defend a strategy of supporting impeachment only if the Republicans own and lead it, as well as demanding concessions from Republicans? Absolutely. Simply put, Republicans “birthed,” enabled and elected Trump. Republicans have staffed his Cabinet, sacrificed their principles to cut deals with him, and made countless excuses for his outlandish behavior. The public will understand that, if impeachment is warranted, the Republicans have the responsibility to lead the charge.

Paradoxical as it may seem, however, the best scenario for Democrats is one in which they resist the impeachment trap, the Republicans stand by their president, and Trump, odious as he may be, remains in office. Admittedly, this would extract a major toll on the national psyche and require an active resistance to thwart Trump’s attacks on marginalized groups, but the country would (probably!) survive. From a policy perspective, a paralyzed Trump administration would be far better than a more competent and reliably right-wing Pence presidency. Politically, Trump would become a black eye for the GOP, and the Democratic opposition would remain energized, all of which would favor the Democrats in both 2018 and 2020. An especially delicious scenario is one in which an unpopular Trump insists upon running in 2020, and the Republican Party is torn apart by a war between Trump supporters and the Wall Street, evangelical and libertarian factions that each want to reclaim “their” party.

If the Trump presidency continues to unravel and a constitutional case for impeachment can be made, Democrats can force Republicans into a perilous Catch-22 over whether to own it. If Republicans refuse, they will likely fail to achieve much of their policy agenda, risk permanent damage to their party brand, and weaken their future electoral chances. If they do own impeachment, they blow up the tenuous Republican-Trump coalition. Either way, Democrats can focus their energies on mass resistance and rebuilding an electoral majority.

Republicans are in a political straitjacket—unless Democrats commit political suicide by falling for the impeachment trap.

Let me emphasize that I am not arguing against pursuing the truth about possible Russian collusion through a special prosecutor, nor against holding Trump responsible for financial conflicts of interest. And I agree that Democrats must ultimately vote for a Republican-led impeachment.

But I am arguing that it would be a major strategic mistake for us to focus on impeachment as a top strategic goal, thereby siphoning energy from the progressive movement. As deplorable as Trump is, we must focus our efforts in the next four years on blocking bad public policy and mobilizing for the future, and those goals are better served with Trump than with Pence. If the Republicans figure this out, let them be the ones to expend their energy getting rid of Trump.

It won’t be easy to resist the temptation to humiliate the worst president in modern history, but Democrats must muster the discipline to resist the Impeachment Trap, insist that Republicans be the ones to take responsibility for their shameful president, and mobilize to build real grassroots democratic power for 2018, 2020 and beyond.

That's not what they're saying at all. I'd say most liberals have little problems with a Christian in office, regardless of our personal beliefs (most, if not all our liberal-elected presidents were Christians after all). The difference between Pence and many of these other men is that Pence has shown a lack of respect for the separation of church and state, a key element that our country was founded upon. Pence believes EVERYONE should be subject to Christian law, above and before AMERICAN law. And that is extremely dangerous and anti-American. It threatens the vast diversity of beliefs and freedoms upon which our country was founded.

It's easy not to care about separation of church and state when it's your own religion that serves as the "state religion," but I imagine if Islam or atheism or some variety of paganism were being touted as state law by a potential president with as much fervor, you'd be one of the first to condemn it as unlawful and un-American.

You yourself mention freedom of religion but seem to forget that goes both ways. Freedom of religion means you are free to be a Christian, and our president is free to be a Christian, of course, but it also means those of us who are NOT Christian need to be free from having Christian beliefs and practices forced upon us.

It's ironic that you take this high-handed position while making sweeping generalizations about Democrats and liberals. Maybe actually try getting to know some liberals before assuming we're all just crazy violent enemies who are incapable of respecting your beliefs. Respect is a two-way street after all.

Posted by Chelsea Kenna on 2017-07-10 17:07:40

It's pretty darned scary just how stupid Democrats are that they hadn't figured that out until now. There has to be something in the water that they're drinking that has hijacked their brains.

Posted by standtall909 on 2017-06-21 09:39:05

well...if Trump goes down, don't think Trump will allow Mike Pence and Paul Ryan to remain. The whole administration members have to show their loyalty to Trump remembered?

Posted by Eugene on 2017-05-31 04:55:10

The only thing I understood from what you just said is that a Christian is not fit for public office. Sounds like you are discriminating, but it is alright when you are on the left these days; you should be ashamed of yourself. The democratic party is nothing but fascists, and if stomping on the flag is "American" and protesting (rioting) everyday is "American," and not having freedom of religion is "American," then most of us moral conservatives want nothing to do with your America. That is why Trump was voted in, not because he was a great option but because of the way you SJW's force your opinions and silence everyone else whose freedom of speech or thoughts are not lined up with your stars. I don't agree with a lot of your opinions, like protesting restaurants for killing innocent chickens but yet you have an abortion, but I am not on the streets acting like an idiot. You will never win anyone's opinion who thinks differently than you by force. The only thing that will happen is backlash and hatred. Maybe YOU should step back and try a different approach.

Posted by josh schreiner on 2017-05-27 04:24:50

All bullsh*t! Must be written by illegal aliens and not citizens!

Posted by USDefender on 2017-05-25 18:04:39

I agree with Joel and Spaight -- DO NOT impeach Trump unless we are 99.44% sure we can rid ourselves of Pence and Ryan at the same time.Better yet, hang in there until Dems take back the House in 2018, THEN impeach Trump and Pence.

Actually, I think that Trump getting impeached & removed - for which there would be clear evidence of committing a "high crime", unlike Bill Clinton, who simply lied about an affair - would freeze in place his low approval rating. That said, it would be good to let the Red Team squirm when the special investigator (Mueller) finished the investigation.

Posted by swampwiz0 on 2017-05-20 15:26:02

Pence is not at all desirable, no question. But he IS less likely to get us into a nuclear exchange. Anything that reduces that risk is worth pursuing, IMO. Our best hope until 2020 is to get to 2018 without major damage (man, that's a long way off...) and seize majorities in the house and/or senate from the GOP.

Posted by Ray Gulick on 2017-05-20 14:13:03

First, Pence cannot be worst, since Trump fulfills all the extreme-right's wet dreams, including Pence's agenda, so at worst, it would be as bad. Second, it is besides the point: if Trump tried to end Flynn's investigation, he abused his position and should be impeached on that alone. That is, he is not impeached because we don't like him, but because he cannot be trusted with his powers, regardless of consequence. Third, there is no chance Pence would win re-election, certainly not after 3 years of his policies. That is, Trump's danger is partly due to his popularity, which Pence does not share. Fourth, another part of Trump's danger is the disdain he has towards anything and everything democratic, which Pence does not share. That is, Pence is right-wing-extremist ideologue, not a despot. Fifth, Trump's danger to democracy is partly due to his entourage, in the WH and in government, for example, Bannon, or the Kushner couple, or some of the worst, least competent ministers in US history (e.g. Rick Perry, Ben Carson), and so on.

Posted by Nir Haramati on 2017-05-20 12:33:32

Russiagate is the worst possible avenue to impeach Trumpet and put up for a while with Led Pencet. There are innumerable grounds but this one just builds upon what is wrong with America and the Democrats. The support for a neo-nazi coup in the Ukraine and the full scale American sponsored war against the Russian backed Assad government in Syria greatly exacerbated the old cold war tensions. NATO surrounded Russia with American nuclear missiles. No doubt Putin and the Russians feared a continuation of these policies were Killary Flintlock elected and may well have favored Trump. However, contrary to his campaign promises to normalize relations with Russia and curtail NATO anti-Russian activity, Trump acted in May 2017 to bring American-Russian relations to a new low, resurrecting a new phase of the old cold war and, given Trump’s belligerent acts in other parts of the world, brought the world closer to all-out or even nuclear war. Trump launched cruise missiles against their Syrian protectorate, a Syrian base, which logically caused the Russians to lose hope for freezing the cold war. The corporate Democrats, the Republican Zombies, and the media loved the resurrected war measures, especially when Trump ordered the dropping of “the Mother of all Bombs” on Afghanistan in April 2017.Of course, there are domestic reasons for Trump’s backing down on his promises to improve relations with Russia. A principal reason was the Democratic insistence that Russia interfered in the American elections in favor of Trump. This stance conveniently ignored that the United States had for decades, not just interfered with elections in other countries, but actively engaged in regime change and war to force a country into submission to the imperial vision. But both intransigent Republicans and corporate Democrats see no contradiction in this stance. Since Presidents Harry Truman and John Kennedy, the Democratic Party has been the principal architect of foreign interventionism and creating anti-communist and anti-Russian hysteria. Without any serious examination of why they lost the election, the Democrats screamed our enemies the Reds are coming, sabotaging our honest and fair elections. The Democrats rightly moaned and groaned about almost all of Trump’s policies, but the one possible good outcome was singled out for special attack. Red-baiting was now turned against some of Trump’s advisors. They demanded Intelligence Committee investigation, even a Special Prosecutor. They made enough noise about it that several Trump appointees had to go due to contacts with Russians (is not contact with foreign friends or foes standard in diplomacy?). Despite his intransigent character Trump caved and acted to end establishing better relations with the Russians. Then he turned attention to North Korea, where hundreds of thousands of heavily weaponized American and South Korean troops have crowded the border in threatening positions since 1953. The North Koreans are understandable fearful of attack and arm themselves and threaten retaliation against any aggression. So instead of negotiating a final peace treaty and clearing the border of armies and weapons, every administration since Eisenhower has made no effort to seriously come to terms with over 70 years of aggression toward North Korea. In 2017 and 2018 it appeared that Trump was ready to go to war, with the end result the probable use by both parties of nuclear weapons. After Hillary Clinton’s devastating loss nearly six months ago, her most powerful Democratic allies feared losing control of the party. Efforts to lip-sync economic populism while remaining closely tied to Wall Street had led to a catastrophic defeat. In the aftermath, the party’s progressive base—personified by Bernie Sanders—was in position to start flipping over the corporate game board.

Aligned with Clinton, the elites of the Democratic Party needed to change the subject. Clear assessments of the national ticket’s failures were hazardous to the status quo within the party. So were the groundswells of opposition to unfair economic privilege. So were the grass-roots pressures for the party to become a genuine force for challenging big banks, Wall Street and overall corporate power.

In short, the Democratic Party’s anti-Bernie establishment needed to reframe the discourse in a hurry. And—in tandem with mass media—it did.

The reframing could be summed up in two words: Blame Russia.

By early winter, the public discourse was going sideways—much to the benefit of party elites. The meme of blaming Russia and Vladimir Putin for the election of Donald Trump effectively functioned to let the Wall Street-friendly leadership of the national Democratic Party off the hook. Meanwhile, serious attempts to focus on the ways that wounds to democracy in the United States have been self-inflicted—whether via the campaign finance system or the purging of minorities from voter rolls or any number of other systemic injustices—were largely set aside.ats.

Posted by 1dale2 on 2017-05-20 12:26:55

This analysis forgets one thing. Ties have already been made that Pence knew as head of the Transition team that Flynn was tainted. And with that brings the charge of collusion with Trump. All the Democrats need is the Senate to Flip in 2018. The republicans would rather keep the house and battle a Democrat, then keep Trump as Nothing has gotten done in Washington DC under him.

Posted by Kirk Linn on 2017-05-20 02:28:23

As a New Zealander it is not my place to advise you on your internal politics. But then again your country has global power and I've never seen mine so obsessed with another nation's politics before so here is my two cents worth.Don't impeach. Trump is repulsive, yes. So oppose all that is odious in his agenda such as corporate tax cuts, climate change denial and so on. Frankly, from this distance, the 'Russia collusion' narrative looks like absurd and baseless hysteria. I have even read the intelligence agency reports - there is no evidence there. Even if evidence comes to light that the Podesta emails were obtained by Russians and passed to wikileaks wasn't this an act of investigative journalism which enabled your voters to make a more informed decision?Also Trump was elected. I would never have voted for him and your electoral system could do with an overhaul but he was elected. Do you really want your intel agencies to get a taste for deposing presidents. In your own country that is (they have a long track record globally).If I were an American I would let the Republicans tear themselves apart four ways and insgmailtead concentrate on restoring the Democratic party to one worthy of it's name. Seems to me if the DNC hadn't cheated Sanders you wouldn't be in this mess. Trump outflanked his primary rivals on their left on most issues: trade, social security, wars of choice, Wall St and more. In fact he ran to the left of Clinton! I never trusted him to follow through and he mostly hasn't. He filled his cabinet with creatures from the swamp he vowed to drain. But he did the workers in my country and yours a huge favour by sinking the Trans-Pacific Partnership.So preserve your democracy and make it better. Sweep aside the corrupt Democratic leadership and ride the populist wave to a future that FDR would be proud of. Good luck!

Posted by Tim the kiwi on 2017-05-20 01:39:37

Inclined to agree with all this (I'm a Brit in London for context) but what if he does something really dangerous? Thinking North Korea, China.

Posted by David Edwards on 2017-05-19 18:11:17

This is precisely the argument I have been making to my friends and colleagues ever since I recovered from the shock of the electrion results. It boils down to the difference between the short-term benefits of impeachment "soon" (progressive candy), vs. the long-term benefits of resetting the trajectory of the country for the next several decades (long-term health of the country). Trump started with limited political clout to begin with, and what little there was has been eroding on a daily (hourly?) basis. As such, he represents a tremendous anchor to the ultra-right-wing (and even normal-right-wing) agenda.

The obvious risk to holding back on impeachment (and, conversely, the obvious benefit of a Pence presidency ASAP) is that Trump's incompetence could result in ACTUAL and SERIOUS long-term harm to the country (e.g., ACA repeal, Paris Climate Agreement, Tax agenda, and particularly North Korea). But so far it's not looking like any of his or the right's scary agenda has much of a chance (based on what has happened so far with Muslim ban and ongoing blowback and barriers to ACA repeal, which hasn't even left the Hosue yet and may not after the CBO scorecard comes out). The trend seems to be that the Trump disease is highly contageous to the Republican House (and probably Senate as well), so they're continuing to get weaker, not stronger. Most of the world understands the difference between the United States as a country, and Trump as a person, so I don't think the country's long-term reputation is being tarnished too much. Moreover, I see some VERY real risks of long-term harm actually coming to fruition under a President Pence (N. Korea being a probable exception, relative to Trump).

The best thing for Democrats and Progressives to do right now is stay the course. Maintain this level of energy and engagement through the 2018 and 2020 elections, and focus that energy most intensely on the specific issues where there is genuine risk of long-term harm to the country. Allow the wing-nuts to go down with the sinking Trump ship - they seem amply capable of aiming their freely-available firearms at their own feet. Who knows... if things play out just right (especially if it turns out that Pence himself gets sufficiently dragged into Mueller's investigation), we could plausibly (though admittedly not likely) have President Pelosi in 2019.

Posted by FishNerd on 2017-05-19 16:34:26

AMEN--world without end. I've been saying this to all my friends. I despise Trump with a white hot passion, BUT I would rather watch him trip over his feet then have Pence for the exact reasons described here. And even if we got rid of Pence, Ryan would be on deck. Ryan is absolutely evil--to the degree that he is Satanic. Nope. I won't sign petitions to impeach or convict Trump.

Posted by Billie Mudry Spaight on 2017-05-19 14:37:13

There are way more than "four." Check the 25th Amendment.

Posted by E.V. Debs on 2017-05-18 23:10:00

You've articulated what has for months been my biggest fear. This lunatic could get into a nuke war with his doppelganger in North Korea, either on a whim, or just because he's "wagging the dog."

Posted by E.V. Debs on 2017-05-18 23:02:49

This sounds like the kind of neoliberal weasel rhetoric that mutated the Democratic party, and turned it into a weak incompetent shadow of it's former self. We want strong Democrats, with a backbone, who are not afraid to stand up to the bullies of the Republican party, and prosecute the traitors and criminals as we find them. They would gain some admiration and respect from the voters.

Posted by FightingFascism on 2017-05-18 20:00:11

I think bath house Barry should have been impeached but did not happen. Nothing to see here move along

Posted by Michael Davidson on 2017-05-18 15:39:02

I think you over-estimate your understanding of the Trump voter. Nothing, NOTHING, is going to mitigate their intense hatred of all things Left, Liberal, or Progressive. It doesn't matter who impeaches Trump, they are already brainwashed into believing it's the Democrats' fault. They want a ONE party system. You will never, I repeat NEVER, succeed in "winning them over" to your side, no matter how desperately you twist yourself into these accommodating/compromise pretzel positions with the sole objective of "avoiding their wrath and blame." It's coming, it's here. We need to deal with it head on.

Posted by LiberalAria on 2017-05-18 13:06:26

I've been hoping to see them walk him out in handcuffs, but a straight jacket would be much more entertaining. No hand waving from a helicopter. He deserves much worse than Tricky Dick.

Posted by disenchanted on 2017-05-18 10:48:55

How would you do this? There no provision in the Constitution that I am aware of.

Posted by disenchanted on 2017-05-18 10:26:06

Since we should never change anything about the US because it was perfect to start with, I guess you support a return to slavery and the three-fifths rule? (...Wow, I wish I could be sure of your answer to that, but conservatives have proven time and again that there's no belief too cowardly, cruel, or stupid to gleefully embrace.)

But hey, it's probably a good idea to at least accede all territories west of the Mississippi back to tribal governments, and return to horse and buggy and witch burning while we're at it, because that's what makes America *America*.

Posted by Akiva on 2017-05-18 09:55:15

I really dont care. Pence is ultra conservative. I hate that. But he doesnt disgust me and cause me anxiety. On the other hand Trump is doing a lot for the future of the Democratic party. I dont know.

Posted by Sara Karakas on 2017-05-18 07:10:40

I don't buy this. If we don't get Trump and Co. out of there now, we probably will never get another chance. Sometimes it is a time, and it is accurate to catastrophize. The country can survive impeachments. I do not think the country will survive Trump staying in power. That I think is part of the solution, that is to think of not what is good for the smaller group of party, however to think of what is good for the larger group of the country.

Posted by Bill Sech on 2017-05-18 04:49:48

You're over thinking it. If a president obstructs justice, that fact becomes known & he isn't held to account that creates a terrible precedent.

As for the politics, if enough Republicans support impeachment think of the impact on internal Republican politics, there'd be a blood bath. And, if at this point, Democrats are timid about going after Trump that would have a very negative impact on our morale.

Posted by Jack Toner on 2017-05-18 04:29:12

There is also a nightmare scenario: Pence gets caught up in the impeachment as well or is forced to resign to avoid doing so - giving us a President Ryan, a gutless true believer happy to rubber stamp the right wing agenda and gut social and environmental programs.

We live in interesting times!

Posted by Joel on 2017-05-17 23:18:08

Yeah, but war.

Posted by Alex Sack on 2017-05-17 22:41:33

I hope the Democrats realize that there are four Republicans in line for President if they impeach Pence lol

Posted by TheRandomOne on 2017-05-17 19:04:30

Like Trump, Pence is dangerous too.

Posted by kritikosman on 2017-05-17 18:05:31

Impeachment doesn't necessarily mean resignation. Bill Clinton was impeached and didn't resign. Richard Nixon resign before being impeached so he could be pardoned of his crimes and avoid prison. Unless Trump is going to prison, impeachment is just a distraction.......mostly to the GOP.

Posted by Jason Lickliter on 2017-05-17 15:11:17

It is to laugh.... all this concern for America's security by the same people who are no doubt cheering both the pardon and release of bradley manning, convicted of espionage and likely responsible for the deaths of many of our own military as well as those who worked with us in Afghanistan. You can't claim to care about America when you want to fundamentally change her. You're all as phony as the fake news stories you're trying to peddle. When there is evidence/proof come and talk to us till then GFY. The real news is the lawsuit that Bernie's campaign has against the DNC for conspiracy to fix a Presidential campaign.

Posted by 1plumberswife on 2017-05-17 14:52:27

I have serious disagreements with Mike Pence, but I have near-heart attacks about the current guy. There's no strategy worth this constant risk of ruining the lives of field agents, families, civilians in the line of clumsy, ignorant leadership. That's where we are.

Posted by notaduck on 2017-05-17 14:00:20

And let's not forget that he is dangerously unhinged with no capacity for self awareness or sense of consequence. He cannot be allowed to keep his finger on the launch button one second longer than necessary.

Posted by eclecticheretic on 2017-05-17 13:54:51

What needs to be done is this: This farce of an election needs to be declared NULL and VOID and a new special election held. This way, we get rid of Pence also. Things would be no better with a Pence Presidency.

Posted by gschloff55 on 2017-05-17 13:48:49

I disagree because I think when you use the word fascist, you need to really distinguish what makes a fascist a fascist instead of throwing it around loosely. I get that Pence scares some people. From what I see, Pence is capable of distinguishing between lawful and unlawful, and Trump is not. Fascism is an attempt to overthrow democracy, to create autocracy. I can't imagine Pence engaging in the shameless kleptocracy or above-the-law mentality of Trump. I think, also, at the end of the day it's not about if we "like" Pence or not, it's about the duty to the country as a whole rather than an ideological agenda (even my own ideological agenda). I think we have enough evidence that Trump should be impeached to impeach Trump. He has energized a group of people who without him will lose interest in his agenda. Like most fascists, it's a personality-based cult.

Posted by goodgolly on 2017-05-17 13:48:21

I agree with the author on so many issues of substance. I am a progressive Democrat. Both identity issues and economic justice are important to me. Combating climate change is especially crucial, because of the potential for suffering if we don't. However, I disagree, and strongly, that it is ethical to make this a partisan issue. It's not about what is best for the Democrats or best for the Republicans. What is best for the country is to expect lawmakers of both parties to uphold the oath they took to defend the country from internal and external enemies, as well as to uphold the Constitution. President Trump's practice of nepotism is in violation of federal law. His blatant disregard for the Emoluments Clause is another impeachable offense. He may also be guilty of racketeering, according to a recent Dutch documentary. But colluding with Russia to win the election, and putting the lives of our servicemen and allies at risk, that is the largest threat to democracy as an institution in the history of the United States (according to Robert Riech).

Posted by goodgolly on 2017-05-17 13:40:02

I think this is an article/opinion that needs to be read by everyone in trying to figure out what to do about the mess in the highest office and WH. It really opened my eyes.

Posted by simonsez3424 on 2017-05-17 12:44:16

I agree with this. The entire nation didn't know what to do. We have to keep that in mind. But, we certainly don't need Pence in the high office. My feelings mirror yours, Dog, about Trump.

Posted by simonsez3424 on 2017-05-17 12:42:42

Generally solid logic but for thinking the DNC will accede to anything progressive of true consequence.And the Russia canard is a neoncon construct and has been from the get-go. It remains a terrible mistake and an egregious abuse of power.

Posted by DaveO on 2017-05-17 09:31:45

I agree with this sentiment, but I think the better path forward is for Democrats to demand a special counsel. There are strong indicators that many, if not all participants in the Trump campaign were in some way involved in collusion with Russia and/or a coverup, and impeaching Trump would throw water on an investigation that was just picking up steam when Comey was fired.

It's not a stretch to believe that Flynn was the fall guy for a much broader conspiracy. Trump would just be another fall guy.

Posted by Timmy FayFay on 2017-05-17 08:35:31

What this article doesn't suppose is that the Democrats could bludgeon Pence as a Trump lackey and guilty of either crimes or knowledge of crimes. Pence is capable of hurting the Democrats in 2018 and 2020, but let's not suppose he will be popular with groups who still can sense blood in the water with the Flynn scandal and other Russian-related sundries.

If anything 2016's presidential election was an albatross for both parties long term. If Hillary won, we'd be mired in email scandals dredged up by the GOP and probably some other controversies. Trump winning has the same devastating impact on the GOP that Hillary would have inflicted on the Democrats. In many ways, the Democrats losing this election may benefit them long-term, and that's saying something considering how much I despise Trump.

Posted by Dog Food on 2017-05-16 23:37:32

Thank you, Jeff Alson, for being a voice reason.Like most citizens possessing critical thinking skills more advanced than those of a remedial fifth-grader, I get so focused on Capt. Collusion's idiocy that I forget the goose-stepping albino in the background.

Posted by Trippin TheCripple on 2017-05-16 18:00:40

This is something that needed saying. Pence has described himself as "a Christian first, a Conservative second, and a Republican third." Notably absent from that list is "American". He is unfit for public office.

Trump has no coherent political philosophy apart from Trump, whereas Rev. Pence is a full-bore washed-in-the-Blood Christo-fascist. Unfortunately, due to the utter clueless of the Democratic "leadership" class he may yet become president.